Comparison of Clinical Observation and Upper GI Endoscopy in Corrosive Substances Ingestion: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives Oral intake of corrosive substances is a significant cause of morbidity and sometimes mortality in childhood. Early evaluation is essential in determining the course of possible damage. This study aimed to compare early endoscopic evaluation and clinical observation methods in patients with corrosive substance ingestion. Materials and Methods Seventy-five patients with corrosive substance ingestion were hospitalized in a tertiary pediatric surgery clinic between January 2019 and December 2020. They were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled manner, 35 of whom were in the endoscopy group and 40 in the clinical observation group, and their data were collected after obtaining consent from their families. Results It was observed that the most common chemical agents in hospitalized patients with a history of corrosive substance intake were dish polishers and sink openers, and contact with strong alkaline substances was the most common case. Endoscopic evaluation increased the total cost compared with clinical observation but decreased the nil per os (nothing by mouth) duration, the number of drugs they took, and the inpatient duration (p < 0.05). Neither the presentation symptoms nor physical examination findings were to the pH level of the corrosive substance ingested (p > 0.05). Conclusions Endoscopic evaluation could be a choice for reducing the length of hospital stay, drug doses, and the nil per os period, but it increases the total cost. Since no cases with significant esophageal damage were detected in our clinic at the time of this study, the results should be supported by larger series.